Barb's journey part III

In the last blog I wrote about the challenge I had Barb and Michael do: Spend one day doing as many things as they can BACKWARDS. They must have thought are you kidding me.... we've spent the last year + doing what works for us why change it? But both of them said "yes, we will do it"

My purpose was to show both of them sometimes we can get comfortable in our ways. Our daily routine stays the same day in and day out but sometimes as we all know, life changes. We can either continue down the same path or we can try to adapt new ways. Barb and Michael are all about adapting to their situation which is why I knew they would do well with it. After their day of backwards I sent them each a list of questions. Some of the things they did were better... like sitting at a different spot for meal time. Some of the things did not go better, I repeat DID NOT go better. Michaels response to my question "What did you find more difficult?" "What did you like the least?" "What would you not do again?" Michaels answer: Peeing while sitting down, Peeing while sitting down and Peeing while sitting down!........ So I guess for Michael.... Peeing while sitting down is not the answer! LOL!

My favorite response was when Michael wrote the answer to my question (and I just have to say this, Michael responded fully to my email which took him 90 min to type.... a pointer attached to his cap tapping letter by letter word by word. You are a man of strength, courage and determination Michael!)  If you cold tell Barb one thing you are most thankful for what would it be?  his answer: "her unconditional, unfailing love...... and when she smiles." Awe...... don't you just love Michael? So sweet! 

Barb Brandt is like a strong piece of iron to me. Not in a way you might think; unbreakable, strong, magnetic, although she is that too...... but more in a manner of "iron sharpens iron".  Anyone who has really nice knives knows how to sharpen them: It isn't the strength or the speed at which you sharpen, it's the angle at which you hold the knives. Working at the wrong angle would be worse than not sharpening the knife at all. I believe this process can be used to describe the work of our friends in our lives as well "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" Proverbs 27:17  We all need people in our lives that sharpen us, people that can be there for each other in the really big battles as well as the small battles. I am truly grateful to consider Barb that kind of friend.

A bit of information I just learned about....  Michael has been asked for the 3rd season to give the Famous Lou Gehrig "Luckiest man on the face of the earth" speech at the Twins game on May 14th. GO MICHAEL GO!!!!

Lastly I want to encourage you to take a look at the ALS foundation that Barb and Michael are associated with. ALS TDI is doing research to find a cure.

Barb and Michael there 2 boys along with many friends will be biking on May 18th for 14 miles in St. Croix to raise awareness and money to help find a cure for this disease.

CLICK HERE TO HELP THE BRANDT FAMILY to donate and for more information.
Thanks everyone!!!

"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame."   Romans 5:3-5